What now for changing tax provision?

As candidates, both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton advocated raising the income tax rate on carried interest. For those not aware, this IRS provision allows hedge-fund employees to categorize most of their annual income as long-term capital gains instead of ordinary income, reducing the tax burden by as much as 50 percent. Unfortunately, it looks as though half of President Trump’s cabinet nominations are individuals who benefit greatly from this tax provision. Hedge-fund managers are also big supporters of political candidates on both sides of the aisle. Not surprisingly, little has been said about eliminating the carried interest provision since the election.

Tim Hein

Palatine

Media needs reality check

I’m just a regular guy watching the media over the weekend coverage of the “demonstrations” and I am amazed how misreported events were. Total media bias. No wonder journalism has become TV reality shows for most media outlets. Hollywood voices — unbelievable but not unexpected. Madonna decrying to “burn down the Whitehouse,” only to be retracted after further re-flection ... how convenient and predictable.

Was it a “march,” a “demonstration,” a “protest” a “unification gathering”. It seemed like an opportunity for cause celebre to come out and claim the day.

More than 300 “events” around the world — what were they? For the US media — a contortion of reality seized by opportunists and propaganda writers to push their agendas. Women’s rights, that’s the issue. Do you really think women outside the U.S. know or even care about Donald Trump. No! They were displaying unity for women and their continued pursuit of equality in many aspects of society worldwide.

So with a broad brush, it was reported in the U.S. — March Against Trump. Any idea what the foreign press reported regarding their countries? Nothing about Donald Trump, that’s for sure!

The wakeup call was in November at the ballot box and Trump won. We are certainly at devisive times and it took a long time to get here over the last eight years. Maybe the media needs a reality check!

Curt Rothlisberger

Palatine